Patient expectations of oral implant-retained prostheses in a UK dental hospital

Statement of problem The loss of the natural dentition leads to severe func tional impairment in many edentulous adults. A prosthesis retained and supp orted by osseointegrated dental implants may provide a satisfactory solutio n for people who have lost all their natural teeth. However, little informa tion is available as to what patients requesting implants expect of implant -retained prostheses. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the expectations of a group of eden tulous patients requesting implant therapy. Method The study included two groups: (1) a group of edentulous adults who requested implant therapy ('implant group'); and (2) an edentulous control group, of similar age and gender distribution as the implant group, receivi ng conventional complete dentures. Following a clinical and radiographic ex amination of the patients, data were collected using validated questionnair es. Both groups made a subjective assessment of current dentures. The impla nt group also completed a questionnaire which assessed expectations of impl ant-retained prostheses. Results Baseline satisfaction with current dentures was low in both groups, with the implant group being significantly less satisfied with comfort and stability of their mandibular dentures. Perceived ability of the implant g roup to chew hard foods was less than the control group. The implant group' s expectations of an implant-retained prosthesis were significantly greater than for a conventional denture. Conclusion Careful assessment of patient expectation of implant therapy is essential to determine appropriate treatment need, and to highlight unreali stic expectations.